HOUSE prices in England and Wales fell for a sixth consecutive month in December, research company Hometrack said today, adding to mounting evidence that the property boom has ended.

Hometrack said their measure of average house prices, based on agreed sales reported by estate agents, fell 0.8 per cent in December, bringing the 2004 annual house price inflation to just 1.3 per cent.

The average property price stood at é163,500, down from a peak of é167,700 recorded in June this year.

Hometrack said it expected house prices to continue to fall early next year before the market stabilised.

é2004 has been a roller-coaster year for house prices,é said John Wriglesworth, Hometrackés housing economist.